QPR Player Says ‘Neil Warnock Will Be Warmly Welcomed To Loftus Road’

Former Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock will be given a warm welcome back to Loftus Road on Saturday.

That’s the view of R’s defender James Perch, who looks set for a return to the London club’s starting line-up for the match against Cardiff City.

It will also be the first time Yorkshireman Warnock has faced QPR as the opposition boss since a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in 2009.

“I played here under Neil during his last spell at QPR and really enjoyed it,” said Perch.

“You know what you’re going to get with Neil Warnock’s teams. He’s old school and I’m from the old school era.

“I’m sure he’ll get a warm reception from the Rangers fans.”

Warnock was QPR manager from 2010 to 2012 and had another spell at Loftus Road in 2015.

He has masterminded a big Cardiff recovery and they have earned back-to-back away wins at Leeds and Derby.

The last time a Warnock team won three in succession at Championship was in October 2010 when he was QPR manager and they went to to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Cardiff’s match on Saturday will be Warnock’s first league match against QPR since he left them in 2012, although he is unbeaten in his last five league games against them with one win and four draws.

Now he takes his in-form Bluebirds to the on Ian Holloway’s Rangers.

Cardiff travel with real confidence after taking 10 points from their last four Championship fixtures, a run in which they have scored 13 goals.

Warnock has led City into the top half and they are 12th, two points behind Derby County above them. QPR are five places behind the Bluebirds.

Rickie Lambert is hoping to return to the squad after his injury problems improved, but Kenneth Zohore will start in attack.

Bruno Manga, Lee Peltier and Rhys Healey are all ruled out.

Greg Halford and Anthony Pilkington are both fit and could well start.

Well over 1,400 Bluebirds fans will be following City to London and they are full of hope since Warnock transformed their team from strugglers to a team capable of competing against any other Championship team.

QPR midfield player Luke Freeman is suspended, while winger Kazenga LuaLua is doubtful after twisting his ankle in training.

Defender Grant Hall (shin) and forward Conor Washington (calf) will be assessed, but midfielder Jordan Cousins (thigh) is sidelined.

QPR will wear special shirts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their League Cup triumph at Wembley and they will welcome back players from that 1967 side including Ian and Roger Morgan, Mark Lazarus, Tony Hazell and Frank Sibley.

Rangers fought back from 2-0 down against West Brom to win 3-2.

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